Veterans Committee
As our Fiscal Elk Year comes to an end, we want to give you updates on our recent donations. We made a donation to the James A. Haley VA Hospital, specifically targeted to the homeless veterans that they serve. The immediate need was for athletic shoes, rain jackets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap and baby wipes. We donated approximately $850.00, of these items, which included 39 pairs of shoes, 13 rain jackets, 27 packs of baby wipes, 93 bars of soap, 68 toothbrushes, 64 boxes of toothpaste, 33 packs of antibacterial wipes, and 20 pairs of socks. We were also able to donate an additional 32 personal care kits from member Dan Wait’s Sandpiper community. The kits were also tailored toward the homeless veterans and included toiletries, socks, hats, and puzzle books. A special thank you to Steve Masterton, PER and John “Mac” McArthur for delivering the donations to the hospital.

We were once again able to donate to the Lakeland Veterans Center. We donated $400.00 of beverages which included: 10 cans of coffee, 40 creamers, 1 box of 2000 sugar packets, 2 boxes of Splenda, 8 cases of water and 15 cases of soda. The facility does not have a provision for this in their budget. This donation will be used by local veterans during group and individual counseling sessions and takes the burden off of the veteran to provide it.

Flight to Honor Mission #5 is scheduled for April 30th from Lakeland Linder Airport. As previously reported we have helped two of the James A. Haley Medical Foster Veterans with attending this trip. We would like to show our community that with Elks, veterans are our priority, and therefore, we would like to get a group of Elk members to go to the airport to show support at “Send Off” and “Return”. If you would be willing to do this, please let us know. We will post further details as it gets closer to the flight.

In order to continue on with our ability to support veterans in need, please join us for our next fundraising event, which will be Friday May 17th, to honor Armed Forces Day. It will be a steak dinner by the McCoy Team with karaoke by Garry and Bob and we will have raffles. Mark your calendar to come out and pay tribute to all military branches. See our flier for further details.

We would like to thank everyone who has helped make this another great year. It is because of you, the members, that we are able to make these things possible. Your support and assistance is truly appreciated.

Lakeland Elks 1291 donated 40 cans of creamer, 1 box of sugar packets, 2 boxes of Splenda, 10 cans of coffee, 8 cases of water, and 15 cases of soda to the Lakeland Veterans Center. The facility does not have a provision for this in their budget. This donation will be used by local veterans during group and individual counseling sessions and takes the burden off of the veteran to provide it.

Veterans Committee (Previously published in the Lodge Antlers magazine.)

Happy New Year from the Veterans Committee. We kept busy in December. At the December 12th, spaghetti dinner we had 11 James A. Haley Foster Veterans and their caregivers. Once again, the committee was able to make a donation of $1,000.00 to the Outpatient Foster Care Program’s patients. Each of their 25 patients in the program received a $40.00 gift card. Dan Waite and the Sandpiper Community were also able to provide the personal care packages to each veteran that included toiletries, puzzle books, socks and a knitted cap. We have donated $650.00 to augment the cost for the April 30, 2019, “Flight to Honor” for two of the Foster Program’s WWII Veterans. We were also able to assist the Lakeland Veterans Center again with $400.00 in gift cards for the Christmas needs of their veterans who are struggling.

Our gifts and camaraderie means a lot. Here are a few exerts from Kathryn’s email regarding our donation:
“Geoff, Caroline, and Carla, our Lakeland Medical Foster Program enjoyed a wonderful home cooked spaghetti meal last night to close out our 2018 Awesome year experiencing camaraderie ‘at its finest’ at the Lakeland Elks last night. We had 14 (or so) Veterans attending with their Caregivers and family members last night. All Veterans received a box filled with miscellaneous gifts and EACH rec’d a gift card for $40.00. And those ADORABLE hand-made toboggans! So functional as well Thanks so much to Char Fisher (pictured top left), Chair of the Veteran Committee, at the Lakeland Elks She had spent much of her creativity, time, and talents to generate monies to assist JUST our Medical Foster Veterans, among other Veterans in the Greater Polk County Community. Our Veterans have rec’d wonderful meals all throughout the year on 2nd Wednesday nights, and when needed, special packages of gifts for specific needs have been afforded to Veterans in need. Also, the Lakeland Elks offer our Main Hospital Veterans and families and Caregivers a Wonderful picnic for over a thousand recipients in the Fall. In addition, and most recently, the Lakeland Elks have donated $650.00 to augment costs for the April 30, 2019 “Flight to Honor” for 2 of our WWII Veterans. Thanks so much to the Lakeland Elks for all the WONDERFUL generosity! The Mission to serve our US Veterans and families is truly realized with the Lakeland Elks! “

The Foster Veterans will return Wednesday February 13, 2019, so please join us for dinner
that night.

On Sunday October 14th, Lakeland Elks 1291 visited James A Haley Hospital. With 26 volunteers, we were able to cook and serve 600 meals, with about 400 of those going to veterans, while the rest went to staff. Mobile patients enjoyed music and karaoke in the picnic area along with their meal. Meals were delivered to the rooms of the patients who were not able to join us. We would like to thank all of our volunteers who helped make this trip a huge success. Their hard work and dedication made the event flawless.

We were once again able to provide numerous toiletries and comfort items for the veterans, along with an additional gift of $1,000.00 in gift cards to Wal-Mart and various restaurants that are within walking distance to the hospital. This was made possible with your support and generosity through our fundraisers, therefore, another HUGE thank you to all that have donated, supported and volunteered.
Veterans Day: November 11th at 11am. If you missed our ceremony this year, than you missed another great one. Our speakers, Bill Norden and Mark Hussey, gave light hearted and jovial speeches. Thank you, Bill and Mark for your participation.
Our Foster Veterans will be returning the second Wednesday in December, the 12th, for spaghetti dinner. They truly enjoy their time at the lodge, so please come down and share some holiday cheer with them.
To honor and pay tribute to all that have served, or is serving our country is our number one priority as Elks!
Char and Kristen

Elks 1291 has been helping local veterans. We received a request that a disabled veteran in Lakeland needed a ride to Bay Pines Medical Center to finish submitting his disability paper-work. Duke Schneider graciously gave his time and made this happen. Another request was received from the James A Haley Outpatient program. They received a 91 year old veteran in-to their program that did not have any clothes. They requested assistance with supplying him with socks, underwear, t-shirts and pants. Alice Murray took on the shopping task and we were able to provide this veteran with these necessities. Thank you Duke and Alice for assist-ing these veterans. Lakeland Elks continue to amaze!

Another request came in to assist a veteran in the outpatient program that has dementia. They wanted to provide a Deluxe Manipulation Board for this veteran; however the cost was too ex-pensive. The board is used to help Alzheimer’s patients with familiar tasks, and with cognitive and motor skills. We were able to provide the funds for them to purchase the items to make a board. They had an Active Duty serviceman that was in-patient build the board, thus incorpo-rating the young service members with the older generation in need. They can use this board for years to come with other Veterans.

Kathryn wanted me to share with the Elks that the gifts and donations they receive from us are put to good use.

She quotes “It is SO very nice to know we have support like this in the communi-ty!!! Thanks so much to Lakeland Elks for purchasing the supplies for our Veteran to have this board!!! It also made my in-patient Active Duty guys so happy to have this purpose. Thanks for all the Lakeland Elks do.”

So that we can continue helping veterans in need, our next fundraising event will be our 4th of July picnic. See the flyer for all the details. We will have a dunk tank!!! Justin Troller and Walter Thomas have volunteered to sit in the tank! If you would like to volunteer to sit in the tank, please contact Char.

Lakeland Elks Lodge 1291 is helping the Domiciliary and Psychiatric, unit at James A Haley VA Hospital which includes homeless veterans.

Their immediate need was for T-Shirts and underwear for both men and women, and men’s athletic shoes. These patients come in to the program with nothing, and most are wearing shoes that are worn out. We have donated $1,015.00, of these items, that include, 38 pair of shoes, 12 packs of men’s t-shirts for a total of 85 shirts, 11 packs of men’s underwear for a total of 71 pair of underwear and 15 packs of women’s underwear for a total of 107 pair of underwear.

We were also able to donate 22 personal care kits from member Dan Wait’s Sandpiper community. These care packages were tailored towards the homeless veterans and included toiletries, socks and puzzle books.

Lakeland Elks Lodge 1291 is helping our local veterans at the Lakeland Veterans Center on Ariana.

We have donated $575.00, of beverages, that includes: 20 cans of coffee, 12 cans of creamer, 2,000 packets of sugar, 12 cases of Gatorade and 15 cases of soda. These items are used by the veterans during counseling and therapy sessions. Having something to drink during a counseling session helps the veteran relax and stay focused. It also takes the expense off of them, as currently they provide their own beverage, as the Center is not provided with any funds for beverages.

Veterans Day Ceremony and Fish Fry on November 11th, was a huge success. Speakers, Bill Norden and Boomer Bass, gave very heartfelt and moving speeches. Garry Malone sang Hallelujah and Bob Decker of the Florida Bras Band performed taps.

We had 5-6 Veterans from the James A Haley Out Patient Foster Program join us for the day. We followed the ceremony with a Fish Fry, with music and raffles.

I am very excited to tell you that we have worked out details to host a small number of veterans, from the Lakeland Outpatient Foster Program and their caregivers, on the second Wednesday of the month for dinner and socialization.

Thanks
Char

These are Lakeland Community based Veterans, that James A Haley VA Hospital provides primary care for through their Medical Foster Home Program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Foster Home Program (MFH) provides primary health care for dependent, chronically and terminally ill Veterans in a non-institutional community based setting. This alternative level of care will allow Veterans to have the option to remain in a community family setting when they lack the social supports to remain in their own home. It is an alternative to nursing home placement and at the same time improves the quality of life of our frail disabled Veterans. The MFH program demonstrates the collaboration between the Veteran and his/her family or legal representative paying for the care, the Medical Foster Home caregiver providing the care and the James A Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics homecare team providing the medical care. The Veteran’s will receive home care through the Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC) or Spinal Cord Injury Home Care (SCI-HC) team.

Medical Foster Home is a privately owned residence situated in the community. It makes available a Medical Foster Home family, which provides a loving, nurturing and safe environment while offering 24-hour care and supervision. It also incorporates individualized daily living routine, private/semi private rooms, and a permanent living arrangement.